Flue-cleaner



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.' 4

(No Model.)

J. J. BRENNAN,

PLUB GLEANER,

Patented Jan. 12v, 1897.

(Nomodel.) 2` sheets-sheen 2.

J. J. BRENNAN.- PLUE CLEANER.

N0..575,280u. y Patented Jian. 12, 1897.

zfswv ,47 /1 l l n I UNITEDN STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES J. BRENNAN, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

FLUE-CLEANER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 575,280, dated January 12, 1897. Application filed March 27,1896. Renewed December 18, 1896. Serial No. 616.204. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES J. BRENNAN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fine-Cleaners, of which the following is a speciiication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention'relates to certain new and useful improvements in boiler-fine cleaners, and has for its object the provision of new and novel means whereby the flues may be easily cleaned without regard to the number or size of the tubes.

A further object of the invention is to construct a iiue'cleaner that will provide a considerable saving of time and laborin the cleaning of the flues and that will further save from ten to twenty per cent. in the fuel. A still further object is to provide a fluecleaner that can be readilyattached to any tubular boiler now in use, and that will be extremely simple in its construction, strong, durable, effectual in its operation, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

lVith the above and other objects in view the invention nally consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more specifically described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, an d wherein like letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a boiler, showing the arrangement of the blower. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the blower. Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the blower in position, showing a portion of the boiler and brickwork. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of a boiler and the brickwork,showing manner of cleaning one iiue at a time.

In the drawings, @represents the main blowpipe, which is provided at the top with a valve b, to which is connected the steam-pipe c. A series of pipes d d are connected to the main pipe 0;, which are closed at their free ends, as is also the pipe et. These pipes are secured to the plate e (which may be countersunk into the brickwork) by braces f, which serves to make the pipes rigid by having the braces clasp two of the pipes, as shown, and these braces can be fastened to the plate by rivets or bolts, as may be desired. Pipes g g are connected to the inner face of the pipes d d and to the pipe a, and extend through the brickwork or masonry to the combustionchamber.

The operation of my improved flue-cleaner will be readily apparent from the views ofthe same which I have shown in the drawings. The blower is arranged on the plate e at the rear end of the boiler on the outside of the brickwork or masonry. The steam is turned ou through the valve b from the steam-pipe c into the main pipe a and is forced through the pipes CZ CZ into the pipes g g through the comb ustion-chamber and into the flues of the boiler, elfectually cleaning the same and forcing all soot or other sediment into the smokebox or britchen and thence out through the smoke-stack. i

By this arrangement of a Hue-cleaner it will not interfere in any manner with the fireman or other workmen or destroy the draft in any one of the boilers, as in the old method of brushing or blowing out the flues from the front of the boilers; but, on the contrary, the force of the steam through the fines while the blower is in operation will greatly improve the draft. Furthermore, the soot does not enter the combustion-chamber, as in the old method of blowing from the front, which deposits all soot, dirt, and sediment at the rear end of the boiler in the combustion-chamber. This undesirable feature is entirely overcome by my improved blower, and, as will be noted, it will also clean the head and rear end of the boiler at the same time the tubes are cleaned.

My improved flue-cleaner will also preserve the boilers to a considerable extent by reason of the uniform temperature which is retained while using the blower, which is not the case with the old method. Y

In Figi 4 of the drawings I have shown the method of cleaning one flue in the boiler, and for this operation the brickwork or masonry is constructed with the apertures in the same manner as for the reception of the pipes g, and can be plugged or provided with a plug or slide on the plate e, as may be desired. A

ICO

nozzle is then placed on the steam-hose, this nozzle being of suiiicient length to reach through the brickwork and the combustionchamber into the boiler. The steam is forced into the iiue through the steam-hose and cleanses the same in the same manner as heretofore described for the blower. During this operation the remaining holes are closed, and the same operation is required for the remaining fines.

It' will be noted that my improved fluecleaner can be readily adapted to be applied to locomotives as Well as stationary boilers, and I therefore do not Wish to limit myself to the specific construction as shown herein; but various changes in the details of construction may be made Without departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A iue-cleanerconsisting of a series of pipes, jets leading from the pipes and extending through the furnace-Wall opposite the boiler-nues, and brackets embracing the horizontal pipes and connected to the Wall, as and for the purpose described.

2. A flue-cleaner consisting of a series of bloWpipes arranged at the rear of a furnace, clips secured to the Wall With the ends embracing the pipes, jets connected to the pipes and extending into the fines, at the rear and means for admitting steam into the tubes and causing it to follow the products of combustion therethrough, as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JAMES J. BRENNAN.

itnesses ALFRED M. WILSON, H. C. EVERT. 

